Eurovision in Moscow.2009

The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place between 12 and 16 May 2009 at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia.

My sister and I had a great chance to attend first semi-final show on May 12, 2006. Liliya visited me in Moscow for 1 week, it was her first visit actually to Moscow.

Show happened the same day she arrived. I took her from the Domodedovo airport to my apartment. I hour flew so fast, so the next hour we were driving to get some new clothes for the show. It was supposed to start at 9 P.M. Moscow time but started much later. Gosh, it's been crazy to wait outdoors in lines for 2 hours, but still worth it. We had VIP seats, so the stage was about 15 meters away from us.

That night was very bright, we watched all 17 song contest participants performed. The stage was designed by New York-based set designer John Casey, and was based around the theme of contemporary Russian avant-garde. Large sections of the stage have the ability to move, including the circular central portion of curved LED screens which can be moved to effect and allows for each song to have a different feel. Over dozens of cameras were broadcasting us! This was a fantastic view!

The winner was Alexander Rybak from Norway with his song "Fairytale".Click here to watch.

Below are some of the pictures taken from that show and 2 favorite performances we liked most!

My studio recording in Utah. 2006

In summer 2006 I have had a wonderful chance to record my voice in home studio of Brother Ed McGarr in Utah. We worked for 5 hours to finally record a song called "I Will Not Be Still". This song is about missionary work and willing to serve people whenever Gods calls to serve. Thanks to much to Andrew George who played and recorded the instrumental to the three songs: "I will Not Be Still", "The Man With Many Names" (duet with Kalani Anderson) and "Once There Was One". It was a great experience for me to try my voice in a professional sounding! Below is the video of my favorite song I Will Not Be Still and the links to the rest ones. Hope you like it!

Once There Was One here

Utah pictures 2006

In BYU 76th ward there was once an Untalent show where Artur, Brandon, Bryan and I were playing statues in the closed museum. Each couple of the statues would get alive in turn when music is playing. Well, to be short, click here to watch and have fun

My story

Everyone is unique; I am no exception. I’ve had experiences, both good and bad, which enabled me to grow spiritually and become strong and confident. I’d like to share a part of my life to illustrate more about myself.
I was born in the city of Ishimbai, Russia on July 17th, 1984. It was not actually me alone being born that day! Guess who else? Yeah, My twin brother! His name is Ruslan. I don't have pictures of us together when we were young, but I posted only the one I've got. In the picture I was 4 years old. I looked very sleepy as it was taken at 8 am in my kindergarden. I did not want to be taken a picture of, but mom said" You do it, boy!". So I had to.
For 6 years my family has lived in the town and then my dad was offered a big new house out of the town near the forests and mountains.
Later on we had a new baby arrived. That was a girl! She was name Liliya as she was so beautiful like a flower Lily. For that time my brother and I were 7 years old.
All children were very talented: Ruslan and myself would go dancing and singing in the high school theater. I also did some painting and drawing.
Liliya was our star who participated in many song contests, recorded 2 songs and learned to play the piano. I think I can say that this came from my parents as both of them have had musical talents from young years.
Life is full of joy and sadness, ups and downs.. Everyone is struggling at least 2 times in his entire life. In real life it is much more.
As a young man, I woke up knowing my father wouldn’t be around to love and support me. There was a time I was eager to attend an art school and make my dreams of singing and dancing come true. The school was two hours away from my home. My dad knew I would have to ride my bicycle 26 miles weekly, waking up at 5 a.m. He simply said, “Good luck”. This opportunity to develop my talents would also show my father I could do something special to be better for him. Often I wanted to quit, but I learned perseverance. During the time I attended that school I received many awards and knew my studying was not in vain.
Later I entered Bashkirsky State Pedagogical University in another city. It was also a challenge for me. Having studied there for several years, now I understand the pressures and demand of university life. Today I am prepared and capable to succeed at the university level. I have learned how to become a leader and overcome academic challenges making obstacles become opportunities.
Struggling with these trials I have learned how to improve relationships; and also that one cannot build on weakness but on strength instead.I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for these experiences and I understand that this is only the beginning of what I will continue learning.

Provo, Utah 2006 Part2

On July 1st, 2006 brother Gee brought us to Provo,UT where we met Brandon Betenson and McKay Bohnam at BYU Cinnamon Tree apts. I got registered in housing, unpacked my suitcase and started a new page in my life that I would call then "BYU Life experience".

I lived in apt 58 together with Spencer Pearce, Brandon Betenson and some two guys more whose names I cant remember now. My bed was really huge and stood on some construction blocks. It looked weird but fun to feel I was a bit higher from the floor. Though this height was not always good to me as I would fall down from my bed! I did it twice!
The next day I went to a very nice store "Maceys" which became my first work experience afterwards. I think I spent $35 for groceries and some "Utah" clothes because I have had only the Russian ones. In Utah most clothes might cost you less than groceries ( food), so later I calculated myself that I could have puchased much more clothing that I would have ever got in Ufa, Russia!

As for food, the only things I could allow myself to try to eat were eggs, meat, yogurt and bread with peanut butter. Nothing more. It was not because I had no enough money but it was just absolutely unknown to me what Utah people eat in general. Most food names were unfamiliar, so I had to ask Brandon to confirm it was OK to get it.
I have learned to like McDonalds in America! They are a bit different from the ones we have in Ufa. I was hesitating how I could speak to the cashier when making an order. Once I have ordered french fries, cheeseburger and was ready to cash the guy asked me: "Here or to go"?. Sorry, but that time I did not know English well enough to answer correctly, so I said just "Yes".. He was confused with my answer and probably thought I was an psycho! LOL...So thanks to Artur I got the question and said we were going to eat in the room.

Utah. Welcome to the US

Hi everyone! I just saw some of my friends' blogs and decided to create my own one.
I am really bad at writing stories, so this is my first try.
In 2006 I went to Utah as a Work&Travel student to get working experience in America. I chose Utah because I love this place, there are wonderful people living there.
I would not say that I was absolutely shocked to see America for the first time of my life, but I was scared a bit. Everything is nothing like in Russia. Absolutely opposite or just simply different so that you cannot compare. You just keep in mind that you have to speak only English with everyone!
So I took my flight from Moscow to New York(JFK) and then flew to Salt lake city. Total flight trip took me over 26 hours to get my destination. i was completely lost in time difference because I took off from Moscow at 1 pm on 30th of May. 2006 and arrived in the country at 3 Pm the same day- 30th of May,2006! Flight was over 9.5 hours.
Oh I forgot to mention my good friend Artur who helped me a lot during the program paper work and also went to Utah together with me.
President and sister Gee were very kind to meet me at the SLC airport in the morning on 31st of May. We went to their house in Bountiful, UT. Wonderful place, beautiful house!
Artur arrived earlier than me, so he got to sleep a bit more. Landon Wimmer brought him for lunch with the Gees. I think Landon has had kind of "cleaning up-windows" own business and made some extra money by cleaning all the house windows for the Gees. I think the same day we drove to Adam Terry' s wedding reception! That was my first experience to watch how American weddings go. I met his parents and some of his friends. Adam was really surprised to see me and Artur who just arrived in and came for the party, ha!